A FORSKOLIN REVIEW

According to Forskolin reviews, the extract itself is the main bioactive component of a plant called Coleus forskohlii found in Southeast Asia, lndia and Nepal. Other than the root, where this compound is concentrated, the herb has no additional use.

Forskolin is an active compound found in the roots of the Indian coleus (Coleus forskohliil) a tropical plant related to mint. Forskolin is an extract of a plant in the mint family that grows in Southeast Asia. Forskolin is the main bioactive ingredient of the plant Coleus forskohlii, which has been used for years as a fat-burner, and weight-loss supplement. According to various forskolin reviews, the addition of this extract to the daily diet of a human being is supposed to increase testosterone levels while reducing inflammation and protecting against cancer. Additionally, forskolin consumption allegedly increases the level of a molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) at the cellular level. The cAMP is an important messenger in many biological processes. This molecule has been widely studied because high concentrations of it increase lipolysis in the body. It is responsible for transferring effects of hormones like adrenaline, which cannot pass through the cell membranes, to inside of the cell. Subsequently, it plays role in the regulation of glycogen, sugar and lipid metabolism. It is believed, because of this activation mechanism, it might be playing role in decreasing body fat and increasing lean bone mass. While more research is needed, initial results seem promising.

Forskolin is a natural plant-based extract in the mint family that is used for many health issues, including obesity. One of herbal medicine for weight loss is forskolin, as a natural plant compound claimed to be an impressive weight loss supplement. Most products found on the market today provide a highly concentrated dose of this extract and not much more because it is thought to be herbal medicine.

As a bioactive ingredient of a plant, forskolin extract is a natural medicinal compound that can be found commercially in a variety of brands. Although more research is needed, forskolin extract as a lipolysis facilitator has preliminarily proven to be a good fat-reducer. Another well-observed effect of Forskolin is that it acts well as a vasodilator and bronchodilator.

Forskolin is believed as a weight loss and bodybuilding herb supplement, which has gained some attention in the market. It is alternatively marketed as Colforsin and Coleonol as well. It is an organic compound derived from the tuberous roots of Indian Coleus plant. It seems to have gained some visibility after it was featured by Dr. Oz in one of his shows.

Indian Coleus plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. As part of Ayurvedic medicine (Ancient Indian medicine) tradition, it was used for treating various heart conditions including high blood pressure, chest pain(angina), painful urination, convulsions and respiratory disorders such as asthma.

Unfortunately, very little science has gone behind the modern day claims about medicinal benefits of this herb. It seems like today’s opportunistic marketers do not care about thorough research but start drumming up their campaigns at slightest hints of what may be remotely effective.

This enzyme is involved in transmitting chemicals signals from outside of a cell, through the cell membrane to the inside of a cell.
Although fat reduction and lean bone mass increasing effects have not been studied that extensively. It has been consistently observed to reduce blood pressure. It has been observed to be effective at reducing asthma attacks. Given this, one has to be careful, when using it as a weight loss supplement, because of you are taking blood pressure reducing medicines like calcium channel blockers or beta blockers, Forskolin will work in conjunction with that medicine and there will be additive effect of reduction in blood pressure and it could turn out to be a serious issue. Just as high blood pressure is not good, a significantly low blood pressure is not good either.

For centuries, this plant has been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat various conditions and diseases. Modern scientific research has now shown that some of these health benefits may be true, or at least plausible. As a weight-loss supplement, forskolin gained popularity in the US after being featured on the Dr. Oz Show in January 2014.

FORSKOLIN BENEFITS

According to several studies, supplementation of forskolin can help human body in Lipolysis (which reduces fat); Reduction of eye-tension (which helps those who have glaucoma); Stabilization of cells (releasing histamine and relaxing throat muscles, allowing asthmatic people to breath better); Unsubstantiated benefits include cancer prevention, hypertension and congestive heart failure among many others.

OTHER HEALTH POTENTIAL BENEFITS

According to ancient Ayurvedic sources as well as recent studies, there are many other applications for Coleus Forskohlii such as Allergies, Hypertension, Cancer, and Congestive Heart Failure.

According to Tufts Medical Center, it can also be useful in the treatment of the following less dangerous ailments to include Menstrual Cramps, Bladder pain, Psoriasis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Insomnia, Urinary tract infections and Erectile dysfunction.

FORSKOLIN FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Many studies have investigated the effects of forskolin on fat metabolism. Forskolin stimulates the release of stored fat from fat cells. The same thing happens whenever the body needs to use body fat for energy. On its own, the release of stored fat is not enough to promote weight loss – it needs to be accompanied by a calorie deficit. ln other words, for weight loss to happen, energy expenditure must exceed energy intake (calories in).

Weight loss supplements can support a calorie deficit by suppressing appetite, reducing the efficiency of digestion, and increasing metabolic rate (fat burning). As far as we know, forskolin does not cause any of these things to happen.
However, clinical trials in humans have provided some promising results. It appears that forskolin may promote fat loss while preserving muscle mass. From two small studies, they investigated the effects of forskolin on weight loss in humans. Both of them were randomized controlled trials, the gold standard of scientific research in humans.

The largest trial recruited 30 overweight and obese men, who were then randomly assigned to two groups

Forskolin group: L5 men were supplemented with 250 mg of Coleus forskohlii extract (10% forskolin)twice a day for 12 weeks.

Placebo group: 15 men took the same amount of dummy pills (placebo). Compared to the placebo group, men who took forskolin lost significantly more fat, but total body weight did not change. Additionally, there was a significant increase in free testosterone in the forskolin group. Testosterone can stimulate the release of fat from fat cells, which may partly explain the fat loss observed in the study. A rise in testosterone can also promote an increase in muscle mass. ln fact, there was a trend towards an increase in lean body mass in the forskolin group, but it was not statistically significant.

ln the second study, 23 overweight women received the same dose of Coleus forskohlii (5OO mg/day) for 12 weeks. ln contrast to the previous study, forskolin supplementation did not have any significant effects on fat loss, but the results suggested that forskolin may protect against weight gain. ln conclusion, 1-2-week supplementation with forskolin does not cause weight loss, but it may improve body composition in men and prevent weight gain in women. More research is needed.

ln addition, a small blind study was recently undertaken by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Society and published in the “Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition” on their December 2005 issue. The research found that 23 females who were given the concentrated extract did not lose weight, but the forskolin did help in the prevention of weight gain. The women who took the test were mildly overweight. So, according to recent evidence, the effectiveness of forskolin for weight loss is not proven, but it may help to prevent the weight gain.

While ancient cultures weren’t as obsessed with weight-loss as modern Westerners are, the weight loss benefits might be the most influential one in the commercialization of this root extract. Forskolin weight loss is associated with lipolysis, which is the fat-burning process of the body.

FORSKOLIN DR. OZ

Some controversy surrounding the weight-loss properties of forskolin involved Dr. Oz. When Dr. Oz highlights a supplement such as Forskolin on his popular TV show, sales increase dramatically. This has been given the name “the Oz effect.” This debate got as far as a Senate Hearing after the TV personality called the forskolin vitamin a “miracle flower” in front of millions of viewers without offering substantial medical data to back it up. However, Senator Claire McCaskill chastised Dr. Oz in a 2014 hearing before the Senate subcommittee on Consumer Protection,

Product Safety, and Insurance and he said: “When you have this amazing megaphone, why would you cheapen your show?”

FORSKOLIN SIDE EFFECTS

Since forskolin is an extract taken from a plant root, with little or no chemical processing involved, it is supposed to be quite harmless to humans. However, it is advised to visit a doctor before starting forskolin supplementation.

According to The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the reported forskolin side effects after testing were to include but not limited to the following low blood pressure, headaches, irregular heartbeat, and embryo-related toxicity.

Forskolin in its powdered version (for inhalation) can cause throat irritation, tremor, cough and agitation/restlessness. Also, in its eye drop form, it could cause stinging in the eyes.

DOES FORSKOLIN WORK?

A 1987 study reported in Clinical Therapeutics found that topical application of forskolin did reduce thigh fat in women as compared to placebo. There have been studies that prove the effectiveness of forskolin with regard to its many uses in traditional and western medicine.
As reported by these studies, the fat-loss factor was successfully tested on males (“Obesity Journal, 2005), but not on females (“Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine”, 2005), in whom it was only proved that it prevented fat gain. All other uses were studied using blind tests over very reduced populations, and although there were very promising results, results are not definitive. Forskolin has some scientific data that indicates possible weight-loss benefits, but more human-based research is needed.

Forskolin is available for use in 4 ways:

Intravenous

Intravenous presentation of forskolin is usually for non-commercial use and is obviously liquid. This is mainly used by doctors and health professionals in a clinic environment for a rapid absorption when a heart condition known as idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy is presented by a patient.

Powder

Patients who suffer” asthma can use forskolin in powder form, under prescription, with a Spinhaler inhalator.

Drops

When treating glaucoma, a L%forskolin solution as a drop for the eyes is used.

Pills

The most widely available form. Supplements can be found in most major online retailers like Amazon. Pill form is employed as a fat-loss supplement.

The dosage varies depending on the ailment being treated. Most commonly, the typical dosage of forskolin is 100-250 mg of Coleus forskohlii (10% forskolin), twice per day.